Flocking apparatus



April 29, 1947. HESTER 2,419,835

FLOCKING APFARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1942 3 Sheets-Slieet 1 April 29, 1947. HESTER 2,419,835

FLOCKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 j flnv g April 29, 1947. D. HESTER FLOCKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .to provide novel flocking Patented Apr. 29. 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs 2,419,835 FLOORING APPARATUS 1mm Heater, cu n. Application AW 2., 1942, No. 455,524

1 Claims. (01. 01-4) The present inven relates to novel apparatus for performing the operation of flocking.

In general the operation or flocking is.accomplished in the following manner. First the portion of the article or fabric to be flocked is coated with an adhesive paint-like substance. Before this substance hardens. it is brought into intimateassociation with short rayon, wool, cotton or. other flbers which adhere to the adhesive and give the article a suede or velour-like surface.

The operation of flocking is performed upon a wide variety of articles, and different methods have been used in the past for performing this operation, the method chosen depending quite largely upon the typev of article to be flocked. For instance, usually when flock is applied to large pieces of fabric so as to give the fabric a suede or mohair appearan the article is first coated with an adhesive and later the flock is poured over the fabric and the fabric is bumped to shake the flock about until it has been brought into intimate association with the entire surface of the fabric. This method of app g flock is known as bumpin Another method frequently resorted to when applying flock to solid objects, such as picture frames, boxes, the bottoms of ashtrays. the bases of statuettes and like articles .is to apply an adhesive to the portion of the article it is desired to flock and then apply the flock to the article by means of a special hand-held spray gun.

Although the apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention may, with minor alterations, be used for applying flock to continuous webs, this apparatus is intended principally for flocking solid objects, such as picture frames, ashtray bottoms and the like.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus useful for applyin: flock to objects.

Yet another object of. the present invention is to provide novel flocking apparatus which is-selfcontained and which does not require a special booth to collect and exhaust flock from the room space.

Yet another object of the present invention is apparatus which prevents flock from becoming wasted during the flocking operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for creating a flock fllled atmosphere within-which adhesive coated articles can be brought into intimate association with flock particles.

' vcoated articles at direction of the Still another object of the present invention is so apparatus having the above characteristics and which is so arranged. that flock in appreciable quantities cannot escape from the apparatus when articles to be flocked are moved to and from the flock filled atmosphere.

sun another object of the present invention is to provide improved flocking apparatus through the use of which flock can be applied to adhesive much lower cost than has been heretofore possible.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide novel flocking apparatus which uses flock in an economical manner, and through the use of which the flock is automatically recirculated until it adheres to some adhesive coated surface.

advantages will appear from to provide flocking Other objects and the following description of a preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. I

In the drawings, inwhichsimilar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a flocking machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation in the machine shown in Fig. 1; it may be considered a taken in the arrows along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a somewhat din'erent machine embodying principles of the present invention;

F1512. 4 is an end view of the machine shown in Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rack forming a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative rack arrangement;

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing one of the flocking nozzles in sideelevation: and FiFigl. 8 is an end view of the nozzle shown in The flocking machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is comprised of a stand I resting upon the floor and forming the principal frame work for the apparatus. The stand is generally rectangular and may be built up of structural steel members in a conventional manner. It supports a hopper l2 extending longitudinally of the machine, the side walls of which are generally plane surfaces. They mutually approach each other transversely to form a longitudinally extending v-shaped trough having a generally cylindrical bottom surface at the apex of the V.

A longitudinally extending feed screw II is 10- cated within the cylindrical bottom portion and is iournaled at each end of the machine in suitable bearings. One endof the feed screw carries a pulley l6 connected by a belt l8 to a speed reducing motor crating, the

within the hopper feed screw M will feed material toward the opposite end, At

the opposite end, the feed screw forces material into a short pipe 22 connected to a downwardly extending conduit 24 which leads to the intake side of a centrifugal blower 26 20, so that with the motor 20 op- Substantially oppoflte the point of connection between the pipe 22 and the conduit 24, a second the pipe 22, the pipe 28 extending upwardly where its opposite end is connected to the upper portion of the space within the hopper II. This pipe 28 is preferably provided with a manually actuated damper 30 of the butterfly typ Above .the hopper l2, ranged, one near each end of the apparatus. These nozzlespoint toward each other and both are connected by piping 34 to the outlet side of the blower 26.

The central portion of the. apparatus above the hopper I2 is provided at each side with a vertical sheet metal panel 36 and these two panels are joined at their upper edges by a horizontal panel not shown. The end panels which form the ends of the hopper l2 extend upwardly to approximately the center line of the nozzle 22, thus partially enclosing the upper portion of the apparatus at its ends. Above this point, the ends are closed by means of doors 3B horizontally hung at their upper edges by hinges 4|! secured to transversely extending upper end frame memtwo nozzles 32 are ar- The remaining portion of the apparatus above the hopper I2 is covered with fabric which permits the circulation of air therethrough, but prevents flock leaving the apparatus. If desired, all of the remaining surface of the upper portion of the device can be covered with fabric as stated, or if desired, a portion of the remaining surface may be enclosed with sheet metal with fabric panels arranged wherever desired, so long as sufficient fabric surface is present to permit the comparatively easy movement of air to and from the apparatus.-

At the front and horizontal rectangular open at their ends to the panels 36 and extend outwardly a considerable distance. Preferably rails, not shown, extend from front to back across the top of the hopper l2, with the upper edges of the rails substantially in alignment with the lower inner surface of the hoods 42, so that the lower inner surfaces of the hoods, together with the rails, form a continuous track extending from front to back of the apparatus.

back of the device, similar hoods 42 are secured In Fig. 5, I have shown a rectangular rack suitable for carrying objects to be flocked into the device just described. This rack, indicated generally by the numeral 44, is made up of a top board 46, a bottom or floor board 48, and end boards 50, which extend across the ends and Join the top and bottom boards. Several upright spacing boards 52 are arranged between the end boards 50 and are so positioned that the distances between any set of adjacent upright members is substantially equal. The rack is therefore partitioned into a plurality of separate spaces framed above, below, and at both ends. Several wires 54 are strung horizontally along one vertical edge of the rack and'serve outwardly vertically,

upon the floor board 48 in an inclined position.

The distance between the upper surface of the upper board 46 and the lower surface of the bottom board 48 is only slightly less than the inside vertical dimension of the hoods 42. Similarly, the horizontal dimension of the end boards 50 and the intermediate spacing boards 52 is slightly less than the horizontal transverse dimension within the hoods 42. Also the distance between any two adjacent vertical members of the rack is less than the length of the hoods 2.

The apparatus as thus described is used in the following manner: First, a quantity of flock is dumped into the hopper l2. This may be placed in the hopper either by opening one of the doors :8 and pouring in the flock, or by placing the flock in the hopper through one of the hoods 42. The motor 20 is started, thus rotating the feed screw i4, and a motor 58 connected to the blower 28 is started so as to force a circulation of air through the pipe 28, through the blower. through the pipes 34, and through the nozzles 32.

The air passing downwardly across the end of the pipe 22, the latter pipe being continuously filled with flock by the feed screw l4, this air will pick up flock and carry it through the blower 2i to the nozzles 32. Flock mixed with air, therefore, continuously issues from the nozzles 42. After passing from the nozzles, the velocity of the flock moving through the air is quickly diminished, thus permitting the flock to fall into the hopper I2 where it is recirculated.

with the machine operating in the above manner, objects to be flocked are placed in the several spaces between the partitions of the racks 44 and one end of the rack is pushed inwardly through one of the hoods 42. Another loaded rack is then placed behind the first and moved slowly into the hood 42, this rack in turn being followed by still another. Thus, a series of these racks progresses continuously through the apparatus, thereby bringing the articles located within the racks into alignment with the nozzles 32. Each article passing through the apparatus therefore is for a period of time passing through the stream of flock issuing from the nozzles, thus insuring the article being completely coated.

Inasmuch as the spacing between the vertical partitions of the racks is less than the length of the hoods 42, one of these vertical partitions will alway serve as a closure for the opening, since before one of the partitions passes beyond the inner end of the hood, the next succeeding partition will have entered the outer end of the hood. The hood at the opposite side of the apparatus is sealed in a like manner. These vertical partitions therefore serve as closures to seal the apparatus against flock being forced therefrom while the device is in operation.

Inasmuch as the racks 44 are depended upon to close the openings in the hoods 42, it is desirable that suillcient empty racks be passed through the apparatus to close the opening at the exit hood 42, before the blower is started. After this opening has once been closed, the apparatus can be started in the manner previously described,

One form of nozzle that I have found to be efficient for spreading flock is illustrated in Fig. '1 and is indicated generally by the numeral 32. The pipe 24 attached to the nozzle and the inlet end of the nozzle are substantially cylindrical. From this point outwardly, the nozzle is flared and decreases in thickness to form a comparatively thin slot when viewed end to support objects resting on.

plates at the exit end or endless conveyor belt To distribute flock evenly throughout the l ngth 01' this slot, I provide a. plurality of spaced spreader plates 68 which extend rearwardi cm the open end of the slot to the cylindrical portion connected to the pipe 84. Each of these spreader the nozzle is substantially equally spaced from the adjacent plate, so as to form a plurality oi rectangular exit openings ofsimilar size. As the plates extend rearwardly in the nozzle, they mutually approach each other, so that at-the inlet end of the passages all are of substantially the same area. The plates 58, together with ,the exterior portions of the nozzle an appreciable quantity therefore form a plurality of passages extending from the cylindrical portion 3| to the exit end, each oi'these passages increasing in width and decreasin in thickness as it approaches the outlet end of the nozzle. I have i'ound these plates to be very eflective for evenly distributing the flock, inasmuch as flock appears to be evenly distributed in the air stream within the cylindrical portion 34, and the flock is divided into separate streams within this cylindrical portion before the Portion of the nomle is reached.

In Fig. 3 I have shown an alternative flocking device similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but which differs thereover principally in that a single nozzle 60 is positioned to project flock downwardly. This nozzle projects the flock against an Both upper and lower reaches of the belt 62 pass through hoods 10 similar to the hoods l2 and at equally spaced intervals, the belt 62 is provided with outwardly extending cleats 12 which project upwardly or downwardly as the case may be into close association with the uppe or lower walls or the hoods 10. Within the hoods, the spaces between the reaches of the belt are closed by vertical partitions 1 I,

reaches. 12 is less than the length of the hoods 10, so that each narrow slot within each of the hoods is always closed by one or more of these cleats. I

This device is operated in approximately the same manner as the apparatus previously described. The feed screw and started to cause the feed screw to feed flock to the blower, the blower then forcing flock through the nozzle 10, the nozzle being arranged to proiect the flock downwardly against the upper surface of the belt 62. The motor 66 is started to cause the conveyor continuously to move across the flocking chamber. Articles to be flocked are then placed upon the upper surface of the belt 62 between the cleats 12. These articles pass with the belt through the inlet hood into a position beneath the nozzle 60. Subsequently they pass outwardly through the outlet hood and can be removed for drying. If desired, articles to be flocked can be placed upon trays and these trays can be located upon the belt 62 between cleats 12. Trays are to be partitions is less than the length of the hoods 10 It will be appreciated that when the belt '2 passes from the flocking chamber, a portion of the flock will be deposited thereon. To prevent this flock from falling upon the floor, a tray 14 is provided beneath the rolle 64 at the outlet end of the apparatus. Any flock carried from the apparatus therefore falls into this tray and when has been collected therein, it will be drawn back into the chamber by the inwardly moving cleats upon the lower surface of the lower belt reach.

An alternative arrangement which may be used in place of that shown in Fig. 4 consists in providing the belt type conveyor comprised of the roll-'- ers 64 and belt 62 without a motor drive. In other the belt is stationary unless moved manin the hoods". A plurality of trays 16 are provided having approximately the same width as the belt. These trays are considerably longer than wide and are partitioned into substantially equal spaces by end members 18 and by transversely extending members arranged between the end members. The spacing between these so that the partitions and end members act in the same manner as the cleats 12 in preventing flock from being forced from the flocking chamher. The trays 16 are fllled and are placed upon the surface of the and are pushed forfore the manual eifort forwardly. It also prevents shallow trays from jumping over each other which sometimes happens when one tray is used to push several ahead of it on skids.

In all modifications or the apparatus shown, the damper 30 can be used to regulate the flow of flock from the 32 inasmuch as partially path of said streams of air and flock. 2. In a flocking device, means forming a flocking chamber having side walls, a plurality oi flocking nonles arranged in said chamber, said no:- zles being spaced from each' other for directing streams of air and flock to articles having adhesive coatings. a hopper located beneath said chamber, pneumatic means to blow aid flock through said nozzles, means to convey articles to be flocked through said chamber in a position exposed to said nozzles. the last said means comprising a plurality of generally rectangular racks including end members and a plurality of spacing elements disposed at intervals in the length of each rack and generally parallel to said end members and of like dimensions, and hoods extending from the side walls of said chamber on opposite sides thereof, each of said hoods having an internal cross section approximately equal to the similar external dimensions of the end members and spacing elements of said racks, and the length of each hood being at least as great as the greatest spacing between said spacing elements.

3. In a flocking device, means forming a flocking chamber having side walls, a flocking nozzle arranged in said chamber, pneumatic means to blow said flock through said nozzle, means to cona position in front of said nozzle, the last said means comprising a generally rectangular rack constructed of top, bottom, and end members, and a plurality of spacing elements disposed at intervais between and generally parallel, to said end members and of like dimensions, and hoods extending from aligned openings in the side walls which said rack is movable, said hoods having internal cross sectional dimensions approximately equal to the similar external dimensions of the end members and spacing elements of said rack, and the length of each hood being at least as great as the greatest spacing between said spacing elements.

4. A flocking apparatus including means forming a chamber having openings in two opposite side walls thereof, said openings being generally rectangular and being similar in shape and in area and being similarly oriented, hood means adjoining the edges of said openings and extending away from said side walls, conveyor means having dimensions similar to those of said openings and movable through said openings, said conveyor means including transverse sealing members spaced at intervals and dimensioned to close said openings when in position therein, the spacthan the length of either hood.

5. A flocking apparatus comprising means forming a chamber having slots in two opposite side walls thereof, said slots being generally rectangular and being similar in shape and in area and being similarly oriented, hood means adjoinvey articles to be flocked through said chamber in 5 of said chamber on opposite sides thereof through ing between adjacent sealing members being less.

asiasss ing the edges of said slots and extcndingaway from-said side walls, carrier means to airpo t articlestobeflockedandhavingtransversedimensions similar to those of said slots and adapted to be passed through said slots. said carrier means including transversely disposed sealing members spaced at intervals in the direction of movement of the carrier means and being thus adapted to close said hoods when in position therein, the spaeingbetween adjacent sealing members being less than the length of either hood, and means located in said chamber operative to blow flock at said carrier means.

6. A flocking apparatus comprising means forming a chamber, having slots in two opposite side walls thereof, said slots being generally rectangular and'being similar in shape and in area and being similarly oriented. hood means adjoining the edges of said slots and extending away from said side walls, conveyor means movable through said slots, placed upon said conveyor means, said tray means including transverse sealing members dimensioned to close said hoods when in position therein, the spacing between adjacent sealing members being less than the length of either hood, and means located in said chamber adapted to blow flock at said conveyor means.

7. A flocking machine comprising a hopper, air feeding means, nozzle means connected to said air feeding means, means adapted continuously to feed flock from said hopper to said no mle means, an enclosure surrounding said nozzle means and disposed above said hopper, rack means adapted to be passed through said enclosure, said enclosure having openings in the walls thereof to permit the passage of the rack means therethrough, and means associated with said openings and cooperating with said racks and adapted substantially to seal said openings when said racks are passed therethrough. DWIGHT HEB'I'ER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,077,726 Uong Apr. 20, 1937 2,193,263 Avery Mar. 12, 1940 1,883,535 Burnett Oct. 18, 1932 2,314,078 Crawford Mar. 16, 1943 2,173,032 Wintermute Sept. 12, 1939 2,285,650 Faris et al. June 9, 1942 2,324,787 Lundgren July 20, 1943 2,115,079 Lilley Apr. '26, 1938 1,952,502 Kinkead Mar. 27, 1934 tray means adapted to be 

